Our blog is the story of two precious, miracle baby boys, James Daniel and John David. Check out "Our Story" link for the full details of our story!

John David Pate-3years old

James Daniel Pate-3years old

Thursday, July 2, 2009

And the broken tail bone goes to....

ME!

So I am pretty sure I have fractured my tail bone. This wouldn't be my first experience in cracking the buttocks though...back in my cheering days in highschool, I was dropped from a full extenstion (two girls holding me high into the air above their heads) and landed on my rump on the gymnasium floor. This time however, cheering was not involved. No, just my own ignorance. It was approximately 4am this morning and I had traveled up and down my stairs to and from JENNA PATE'S room to assure her that there weren't any tigers, puppy dogs, kitty cats, or spiders in her room. We had been through two rounds of screaming crying and threatening her before I finally said to myself, "I am going to sit right her on this top step until she calms herself down and drifts back to sleep." Well, I wasn't on the top step, I was a few steps down so as I plopped down (okay I admit it, I more like threw myself down having a teensy bit of a fit!) on the step, I landed directly on my booty bone and it sent fire through my entire rearend! I didn't think much about it (probably because I was so beyond exhaustion) so I went to bed and woke up unable to really move much. Throughout the day, my symptoms worsened to the point that driving the van was painful. By supper time I was in pure agony. Bending over, lifting anything heavier than a pound, walking up and down stairs, carrying babies, sitting in an upright position really feels like crap!!! I assume I have fractured my hiney, maybe it will just be badly bruised. I plan to go to the doctor tomorrow if I don't feel any better. However, I know the prognosis of a broken butt...REST and RELAXATION....HAHAHAHAHAH! Laught with me..HAHAHAHAH, go ahead, it is pretty funny that I, Dana Pate, in my own moment of a meltdown, did this to myself and the safe way to heal is to rest...which is not even an option for me. In case you haven't noticed I AM RIDICULOUSLY BUSY WITH FIVE CHILDREN EVERYDAY ALL DAY...!!!!

Recent pictures from our summer time play days.

Ellie getting her toes done for "Ellie Day"...she LOVED it, and of course she chose bright purple nail polish...bold and beautiful just like Ellie!

James hanging out at the pool...

Swimming with some great friends. Frank, Grace, Henry Studinka and Austin Dudley. Elizabeth Studinka and Carla Dudley are teaching friends from Oak Mountain and we had a fabulous time swimming togehter. And of course enjoyed the peace and tranquility that comes with taking 8 children under the age of 6 to the pool...hahaha!

Picnic lunch with the Studinkas and Dudleys!

Here are some more pictures from this past week of summer time play!

Claire and John David snuggling in my bed watching morning T.V.!

The boys hanging out in their stroller at Aunt Jill's house. It was incredibly hot that day, but they didn't seem bothered by it at all. The girls swam in Aunt Jill's waterslide play inflatable and the boys slept most of the day away!

Claire and Kate Mullinax (Aunt Jill's daughter) playing in the water. The kids had such a blast.

Jenna had a very special day with these sweet friends. Maddie Cleary and her precious daughters kept Jenna for a play day while I took Claire to a swim party. They took Jenna to Dairy Queen and painted her finger nails. She LOVES her "Miss Maddie" and I am truly thankful for her and her loving girls.

Enjoying our popsicles on a very HOT afternoon while playing outside.

Jenna posing in her car. I asked her where she was going and she said, "I am picking up Cannon and going to the beach to eat gummies!"

Positives to report....The girls and I are having a fabulous summer swimming, playing with friends, eating popsicles from the "ice-cream man", learning, watching Punky Brewster (to the point that Ellie has episodes memorized!)and SLEEPING until at least 8:00am each morning. The boys are growing and thriving in such an amazing way. They are becoming more aware of their surroundings daily. They smile at Claire each time she walks by and acknowledges them. They are lovin their baby food. Both boys are getting stronger each day and trying to sit up. They are super close to being "hip babies" meaning they can almost rest comfortably on a hip as you walk around with them. They are sleeping awesome (9pm-7am). They are healthy and well and we are so thankful.Ellie will go back to Dr. Conklin in two weeks to take off the cast...YAY!Claire will hopefully find out who her THIRD GRADE teacher will be this coming Monday. (Can't beleive she is going to be in third grade!)Jenna is my most precious challenge of each day. I love her to pieces but we have to work really hard to not make it to the time out spot before 9am each morning. :)

Lastly I'd like to remind you all to remember Ian in your prayers each day. Tonight Ellie prayed that Ian could breathe like her tonight and not feel pain and be sad and for God to give him a miracle. The innocense and faith of a child's prayer should be heard and felt by all!

I fell on the stairs when I was 6 months pregnant with the twins!!! I know EXACTLY how you feel... it hurt so bad... I was so mad at myself... and about 6 weeks later, I was all better! Wishing you a speedier recovery!!

Lil' Sprouts Scripture CD

Our Story...

Miracle Babies Two Years Old

MONOAMNIOTIC TWINS!??!?!?

James Daniel and John David are very special little boys. They are considered to be a very rare type of twins. Monoamniotic Monochorionic Twins (referred to as Mono Mono twins) occur in only about 1 in 250,000 pregnancies. Mono twins are actually the phase of twinning a day or two before conjoined twins. Mono twins share the same sac, same placenta and are not seperated by a membrane. Mono twins are given a 50% chance of surviving the pregnancy until early delivery at no later than 32 weeks. For Mono Mommies, they live each day not knowing if their babies will still be alive at their next prenatal visit. They live hopeful but guarded "just in case". Twin specialists diagnose about 6 cases a year and only 2 or 3 will make it. 75% of Mono twins conceived are girls. Mono twins are not hereditary nor due to fertility treatments. Mono twins are a very special blessing from God only. He chooses the twins and the families for them. We are so thankful He chose us.

Followers

Prayer Requests

Multiple Mommas

About Me

Wife to my bestfriend, Rob Pate, Mother to FIVE unique children, Claire McKinley-14, Ellie Brooklyn-10, Jenna Kathryn-8, and James and John David- 6. I am grateful to where God has me in this crazy, beautiful mess called "life".... Some days are intense, others are a breeze, but through it all He sustains me. I want to please Jesus serving and loving, worshiping and honoring HIM, In words and deed. I desire to be the best wife, mother, teacher, and friend I can be. Our blog is simply a record of the goodness and faithfulness our Lord God has graciously poured given to us. Through valleys and peaks, He remains. He sustains. And He loves and provides for us in ways we are incapable.

Song List

James Daniel

James Daniel holding Daddy's finger 2 weeks old

John David

John David holding his Daddy's finger

Dr. Gonzalez, my specialist that God sent to me through Brookwood Hospital!

This picture was taken the morning before we delivered the boys. We are posed with his high tech ultrasound machine and of course my scripture wall behind us. God used this man in a mighty way to help carry out HIS miracles.